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Original poster

I've totally messed up - can anyone help?

66 replies

holly76666 · 09/11/2021 14:07

I came down with a mild case of Covid the week before last and immediately went into isolation. I knew I had it as I completely lost my taste and smell, then did a lateral flow test to confirm which came up positive. The stupid thing is, I didn't then follow this up with a PCR test and decided just to stay home on the basis of the positive lateral flow instead.

DH tested consistently negative on the lateral flows throughout the 10 days but yesterday he started feeling a bit unwell. He did a LFT which came back positive and then immediately ordered a PCR in the post, which should be arriving today.

I'm now so worried that when DH's PCR inevitably comes back positive, the test and trace people are going to ask me to do a PCR as a close contact, because although I've just finished my 10 days of isolation and am feeling better, as far as they're aware I haven't had Covid.

We have toddler DC who haven't shown any symptoms and haven't been tested with LFT or PCR.

I'm a complete idiot for not booking a PCR for myself when I had it - the reason I didn't was down to my anxiety issues, although I know that's no excuse. Am I going to have to do a PCR and spend another 10 days in isolation? Should I admit that I've already had it or will that get me into trouble?

Please no horrible comments as I'm already beating myself up massively over this.

What are my options?

OP posts:
ColettesEarrings · 09/11/2021 14:10

Contact pcr is entirely voluntary, no one will force you to do it. But you were foolish not to do one originally yes.

Gardeningtipsneeded · 09/11/2021 14:10

There’s absolutely no legal requirement at all for you to do a PCR to confirm a positive LF and I’ve no idea why people all over MN are terrified that they didn’t do one. It’s fine. No one can compel a person with capacity to have a medical test.

As for the PCR as a contact, it’s advised only. So don’t do it.

wendz86 · 09/11/2021 14:11

I don't think they can make you do a pcr so i wouldn't worry. They will just recommend you do.

delilahbucket · 09/11/2021 14:14

Are you vaccinated? Because if not, you're going to have to isolate.
Did you at least log your LFT?

Original poster
holly76666 · 09/11/2021 14:14

But you were foolish not to do one originally yes.

I know - it was a really idiotic decision.

Are you absolutely sure I can't get into trouble? Won't they try and pressure me to get one when they call DH? Surely they'll think it's strange if DH tells them I don't want one?

If I do one now will it almost certainly come back positive?

What a mess - and it's all my own stupid doing.

OP posts:
Original poster
holly76666 · 09/11/2021 14:15

Are you vaccinated? Because if not, you're going to have to isolate.
Did you at least log your LFT?

Yes, me and DH are both fully vaccinated.

No I didn't log the LFT either - just went straight into isolation for 11 days Sad

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 09/11/2021 14:16

Are you double vaccinated?

beautifullymad · 09/11/2021 14:16

@ColettesEarrings

Contact pcr is entirely voluntary, no one will force you to do it. But you were foolish not to do one originally yes.
Why foolish? She was responsible and isolated due to the results of a lateral flow test. I'd say that was sensible.

You don't have to do a pcr test.

I'd recommend not doing a test as it may test positive due to fragments of virus, but no longer contagious. You don't want to legally have to be isolating for another 10 days.

Original poster
holly76666 · 09/11/2021 14:16

@PurpleDaisies yes, and DH is too.

OP posts:
ThePoisonousMushroom · 09/11/2021 14:19

Are you absolutely sure I can't get into trouble? Won't they try and pressure me to get one when they call DH? Surely they'll think it's strange if DH tells them I don't want one?

He doesn’t have to tell them anything 🤷🏻‍♀️. They will say that they recommend close contacts take a PCR. He can say ‘ok’. Why would he tell them you don’t want one?

PurpleDaisies · 09/11/2021 14:19

Cross posted with you. You don’t have to do a pcr.

If you do, it might be negative anyway. It’s hard to say. You won’t get into trouble but I doubt they’ll log you’ve already had Covid without a positive pcr. That probably doesn’t matter. If it’s something you’re going to be anxious about, I’d just do the pcr and get it over with,

nellly · 09/11/2021 14:21

Fyi I just tested positive and they never even asked if I had a partner or whether he was taking a pcr. They asked me to list close contacts and I left him off as he had already booked a pcr and didn't need all the daily bloody calls from test and trace

ThePoisonousMushroom · 09/11/2021 14:21

Your DH doesn’t even have to list you as a close contact.

Original poster
holly76666 · 09/11/2021 14:22

Your DH doesn’t even have to list you as a close contact.

Surely they will ask who he lives with though?

OP posts:
Gladioli23 · 09/11/2021 14:23

If you're fully vaccinated and live in England instead of Scotland or Wales (no idea re NI) you can just not do a PCR and not isolate. Then there will be no chance of testing positive and therefore no issue.

PurpleDaisies · 09/11/2021 14:23

It would be nuts for your dh not to list you as a contact. That doesn’t mean anything has to happen since you’re double vaccinated.

ThePoisonousMushroom · 09/11/2021 14:24

You’re overthinking this. They recommend close contacts take a PCR. Your DH doesn’t have to tell them that you don’t want to take one. They recommend it, you say ok. That’s that. They don’t follow it up.
There is no obligation to take a PCR. You isolated for the 10 days. You haven’t done anything wrong.

PurpleDaisies · 09/11/2021 14:24

@Gladioli23

If you're fully vaccinated and live in England instead of Scotland or Wales (no idea re NI) you can just not do a PCR and not isolate. Then there will be no chance of testing positive and therefore no issue.
There is a chance of testing positive. I don’t know why you’re saying there isn’t. Confused
ThePoisonousMushroom · 09/11/2021 14:24

@PurpleDaisies

It would be nuts for your dh not to list you as a contact. That doesn’t mean anything has to happen since you’re double vaccinated.
Why nuts? All they do with the information is that they recommend the close contact takes a PCR.
CRbear · 09/11/2021 14:25

You’re giving test and trace a lot more credit than you need to. You’ll likely get a text or scripted phone call suggesting you take a PCR and that’s it! Just don’t do one and carry on as usual.

PurpleDaisies · 09/11/2021 14:26

I didn’t get a phone call. Just a text message saying I was a contact.

HesterShaw1 · 09/11/2021 14:26

I think you're beating yourself unnecessarily. You haven't broken any laws. What do you think is going to happen to you?

HesterShaw1 · 09/11/2021 14:27

Beating yourself up

Megan2018 · 09/11/2021 14:28

They didn’t care that my DH didn’t do one, no-one checked (he isolated anyway as he wasn’t double vaccinated). DD was positive, they contacted me for her contacts. DH got a text but that’s it.

CRbear · 09/11/2021 14:28

Oh and forgot to say- if your DH has it, when he does his contact tracing he will be given the option to tick a box saying “I’ll inform the people that I live with about their close contact” or similar. He just ticks that and you probably won’t even be contacted.